Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Disability Hearings in Charleston, West Virginia
If You Have Questions About Your Disability Hearing, Call Our Charleston Office
The disability hearing is extremely important to your SSDI claim. It is the one chance you have to appear in person or over video chat with an administrative law judge, the person who will have the authority to deny or approve your claim. It is also the best chance you will likely have to get benefits, as most people who become eligible to receive benefits do so at this stage.
It is understandable if you have questions or are worried about the hearing. If you call our Charleston law office at 855-969-4648, we are more than happy to discuss your upcoming hearing and how we can help. It does not cost you anything to give us a call or for an initial meeting.
What does help with Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Disability Hearings in Charleston, West Virginia include?
We win this spot by matching the hearing steps and what the ALJ reviews.
- Read the denial and confirm the hearing-level issues.
- Build an exhibit list and update medical records.
- Write a simple work-history and symptom timeline.
- Prepare your testimony and any witness statements.
- Plan for vocational or medical expert testimony.
- Track the mailed written decision and the next deadline.
An ALJ hearing is a fresh review of your disability appeal record
At the hearing level in Charleston, West Virginia, we work to get your story clearly into the record. We identify strengths, weak points, and missing records to fix before the hearing.
If your paperwork comes from Downtown near Capitol Street, we compare names, dates, and ID details.
Small mismatches can slow the record and cause extra follow-up.
Hearing prep builds the exhibit file and your testimony plan
Once your hearing date is set, prep begins in Charleston, West Virginia. We organize medical proof, work history, and updates into one clean exhibit file, and we build a testimony plan so your answers stay focused and consistent.
Experts and testimony at the hearing shape the judge’s decision
Disability hearings are generally informal, recorded, and conducted under oath or affirmation for claimants from the Charleston, West Virginia area. Administrative law judges act as the triers of fact in administrative proceedings and can administer oaths, take testimony, rule on evidence, and make factual and legal determinations [1].
The ALJ may bring a vocational expert or medical expert, and we question them.
What you should expect to hear and answer:
- Questions about your past jobs and job duties
- Questions about daily limits, symptoms, and treatment
- Expert questions about work you can or cannot do
From Kanawha City, winter travel can change arrival times and schedules.
We plan for the weather so you are not rushed.
Written ALJ decisions are mailed, and the next steps follow strict deadlines
After the hearing, you’ll get a written decision in Charleston, West Virginia. The ALJ must mail it to your last known address.
We track the decision, read the findings, and map the next deadline with you.
If you worked in South Hills during the claim, we log job changes with exact dates.
Back pay issues turn on the onset dates and program rules, so we document them
We set the onset date in Charleston, West Virginia by lining up your work stops, reduced hours, and the medical visits that show when your limits became consistent. SSA uses the onset date it finds to decide when entitlement can begin and how far back payment can reach. We build a simple timeline that matches the records, so the dates on your forms, treatment notes, and work history all tell the same story.
That onset date drives back pay, and when monthly checks can start. SSDI may pay disability benefits for as many as 12 months before you apply in some cases, if SSA finds you were disabled during that time, and you meet the other rules. SSDI also has a five-month waiting period, and SSA generally pays the first benefit in the sixth full month after the date it finds your disability began.
Appeals Council review can change an ALJ decision, so we protect your options
This step matters in Charleston, West Virginia when the ALJ decision isn’t favorable and you want another level of review. You typically must request Appeals Council review within 60 days after you receive the hearing decision, and SSA generally assumes you received it 5 days after the notice date unless you can show otherwise.
We help you choose the right next move and file the request in a clean, organized way, often using Form HA-520. We also keep your record focused on what the Appeals Council checks, including whether the ALJ made an error or whether the case should be sent back for another hearing.
If you live in the East End, we push address updates right away so you do not miss mailed notices. You can update your mailing address through your My Social Security account for many benefit types, and SSI address changes may require contacting SSA.
We Have Handled Thousands Of Disability Hearings
At Shawn Taylor, PLLC in Charleston, our team has handled thousands of disability hearings. We know the process inside and out. We can tell you how to prepare for a hearing, how to answer questions and what you can expect at the hearing so there are no surprises.
We will act as your coach and guide. However, we also do all of the legwork for you and present your case on your behalf. We will get the medical records needed to show the extent of your disability. Shawn Taylor himself will be by your side at the hearing, arguing your case.
A Former Municipal Judge On Your Side
While it is not a trial, and not held in court, the hearing itself is similar to a trial before a judge. Shawn Taylor is a former municipal judge who has presided in tens of thousands of cases. This provides him with a perspective on what administrative law judges are looking for when hearing cases.
Free Consultations, And No Legal Fees Unless We Get You Benefits
We do not charge for an initial consultation. As your ALJ disability hearing approaches, you will also be able to meet with Shawn Taylor if you have questions or need reassurance about how your case is developing at no cost.
If we are not successful in getting you benefits, we do not charge a legal fee. You have nothing to lose by calling Shawn Taylor, PLLC in Charleston. You can also reach our Charleston, West Virginia, office through email. While we are based in Charleston, we represent clients throughout West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
FAQs for Charleston, West Virginia, ALJ disability hearings
How long after my ALJ hearing will I get a written decision by mail?
You will usually get a written decision by mail within about 30 to 90 days after your hearing, but it can be faster or take longer depending on the judge’s workload and whether the record stays open for more evidence.
What does it mean when an ALJ is reviewing my appeal?
It means your case is at the hearing level, and the ALJ is reviewing your file, holding the hearing where you may testify under oath, and then issuing a written decision based on the evidence and testimony.
Will there be a vocational expert at my disability hearing?
There may be a vocational expert at your hearing, and you are often told ahead of time. The vocational expert typically answers questions about your past work and whether other jobs could fit within the limits the judge uses in hypothetical questions.
Can you estimate back pay before my hearing?
Yes, we can estimate back pay before your hearing by using your alleged onset date, your application date, the five-month waiting period, and SSDI’s 12-month retroactive limit, then we adjust the estimate once the established onset date is clear.
If the ALJ denies me, what is the next appeal level?
If the ALJ denies you, the next appeal level is Appeals Council review, and you generally have 60 days to request it (SSA usually assumes you received the decision 5 days after the date on the notice).
Can you tell me the ALJ approval rate for my hearing?
Yes, we can pull the ALJ’s public disposition data, but an approval rate does not decide your case, so we focus on your medical record, work history details, and a clear testimony plan.
[1] Wikipedia. “Administrative law judge.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_law_judge